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Letters to the editor: It takes a community Community - a group of people linked together by a common goal. In a vibrant and cohesive community, people serve one another, encourage and build each other up, spur one another on, carry each others burdens, confess and pray for one another, bear and forgive one another, honor one another, and, most importantly, love one another. On behalf of the 2003 Organizing Committee, I wish to thank the Ashland community for supporting the Relay for Life, held May 31-June 1st at SOU's Raider Stadium. Your donations of money, time and talent to help the American Cancer Society with its quest to eliminate cancer are truly appreciated. If you're unfamiliar with the Relay for Life, please call Allen Broud with the American Cancer Society (ACS) at 779-6092, or visit The ACS on the web at www.cancer.org. You'll receive the latest information about cancer prevention and education, advocacy opportunities for local and national issues and you'll find out how you, or your business, can get involved with next year's Ashland Relay set for June 5-6, 2004. Once again, thank you for your generosity and compassion Ashland. Relay for Life: It's about a community that takes up the fight against cancer. James S. Kidd, Ashland Guest forum: Tidings missed an opportunity on Ann Curry story By Justine Bowen-Jones Ashland After reading yesterday's (June 4) editorial, I was appalled by the tasteless presentation of Ann Curry's arrival. The editorial, instead of informing the public about this year's commencement speaker, was a childish attempt to get back at the Ashland School District's attempt to keep graduation a low-profile event. I spent nearly five months corresponding with Ann Curry's secretary about graduation, and I helped the leadership class compose a formal letter inviting Ann to speak. I was the first person contacted about her decision to come and I was the first person who wanted to write an article about her return to Ashland High School. A few days after her acceptance, the senior class president, Meagan Armstrong, asked me, as editor, not to write an article in the Rogue News (the school paper) for fear all the attention would attract star-gazers to graduation. The leadership's major concern was that fans would come and take up all the seating (which is already limited), leaving no room for the friends and families of the graduates. Although I still had the choice to write my article, I decided to respect the wishes of the leadership class, because graduation is a time for the graduates, not for celebrity gawking. My peers and I have worked hard over that past four years as illustrated by this year's 10 valedictorians (in my opinion that is the real story). While The Daily Tidings had every right to print the article, I believe that they threw away an opportunity to write a story that matched the caliber of person Ann Curry is, and the stature of students who make up the class of 2003. The editorial ruined a potentially notable story, one that would have been a thousand times better if The Daily Tidings had waited to interview Ann Curry, rather than the maudlin dishing of the Ashland School's Administration. Editor's note: Justine Bowen-Jones is editor in chief of the Rogue News. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -